stress analysis software

huangyhg

stress analysis software
i am looking for information on software which will help me with stress analysis. i work for a small company which manufactures over head bridge cranes. the software we are looking for would help size members for runways and columns (including "a" frame columns). the ability to accurately identify stress levels in box section girders, at both mid-span and at the end truck connections.
i have been looking at solid works and auto desk inventor, but am not sure they are what i'm lookin for.
would a fea program such as stad be more what i'm looking for?
any information would be greatly appreciated.
check out our whitepaper library.
sam25,
solidworks and inventor are 3d drawing packages, more specifically, parametric solid modeling software.  they are useful for designing complicated parts and assemblies.  they both require additional software for fea analysis however, i think cosmos for solidworks and ansys for inventor.  other fea is possible through translation such as step files and so on.
if you want to design runways and girders per asd or lrfd, then these two programs are probably not what you want.  instead you should look at a more conventional structural analysis package like sap2000, risa, and maybe staad.  i have used demos by sap and risa, and i prefer risa but it depends on what you want and what your experience level is.  both have code checkers for asd and lrfd, in other words they not only compute stresses, but also check calculated stresses against allowables.  the last time i checked both were about $2000.
you should be able to design box girders too but i'm not sure how integrated that is with the codes.
regards,
-mike
sam25,
i forgot to mention that you should also search through old posts in this forum.  this topic in particular comes up often and there is a lot of good information that has been exchanged.  just use the search buttons on the top of the page.
do you actually need fea software?  surely 3d frame analysis software would be suitable.
you will probably need to take advantage of a crane loader which staad can do as per aashto and i believe ccma. i agree with dbuzz that just a 3d frame analysis will be required. dont think you need to integrate with heavy 3d modeling packages.
thanks for the info.
i really have limited experience with these types of software. i downloaded a staad preview and am going through the tutroial now.
mrmikee, thanks for directing me to previous threads, i think i will look at risa.